Ancient Conspiracy Theories

Summary

In this video, the creator delves into three ancient conspiracy theories: the mysterious destruction of sacred herms in Athens during the time of Alcibiades, the rumors surrounding Alexander the Great’s death, and the Roman Empire’s crusade against the Persian Manichaean religion. Through these stories, the video explores the nature of ancient conspiracies, blending historical events with public suspicion and intrigue. The creator also announces two new YouTube channels: *Scenic Routes to the Past*, a travel channel, and *Toldinstone Footnotes*, a podcast channel focusing on interviews with historians. The video is sponsored by Tiege Hanley skincare for men.

Takeaways

• 😀 New YouTube Channels: The creator launched two new channels—'Scenic Routes to the Past' (travel-focused) and 'Toldinstone Footnotes' (podcast and Q&A content).
• 😀 Ancient Conspiracy Theories: The video covers three main ancient conspiracy theories related to Athens, Alexander the Great, and the Manichaean cult.
• 😀 The Herms Affair in Athens: In 415 BC, the mutilation of religious statues (herms) led to a conspiracy theory about a plot to overthrow Athens' democracy.
• 😀 Alcibiades and the Herms: Alcibiades, a prominent Athenian, was implicated in the herms affair, though there is little evidence to suggest he was part of a real conspiracy.
• 😀 Alexander the Great’s Death: Following Alexander's sudden death, rumors swirled that he had been poisoned, possibly by his regent Antipater and others, though malaria is a more likely cause.
• 😀 Alexander’s Poisoning Theories: The theory of Aristotle’s involvement in Alexander’s death was spread, though there is no solid evidence to support it.
• 😀 Aftermath of Alexander’s Death: Political chaos ensued with revenge killings, including the execution of Olympias and Hyperides, further fueling the conspiracy theories.
• 😀 Manichaeism and Roman Persecution: Emperor Diocletian saw the spread of the Manichaean religion as a Persian plot to destabilize the Roman Empire, leading to harsh persecution.
• 😀 Manichaean Myth: Manichaeism, founded by the prophet Mani, was misperceived as a Persian conspiracy, though it was not actually aimed at overthrowing the Roman Empire.
• 😀 The Role of Conspiracy in History: Ancient conspiracy theories often arose in times of political upheaval and were fueled by suspicion, popular rumors, and vested interests.

Q & A

What was the Affair of the Herms in Athens?

The Affair of the Herms in Athens occurred in 415 BC when nearly all religious statues (herms) in the city were mutilated. This sparked a conspiracy theory suggesting that the mutilation was part of a plot to overthrow the democratic government, with Alcibiades being implicated as a leader of the conspiracy.

Who was Alcibiades, and why was he a controversial figure in Athens?

Alcibiades was a prominent Athenian aristocrat known for his political ambition and military leadership. He was admired for his charisma and bold decisions, such as leading an aggressive foreign policy against Sparta. However, his dissolute private life and behavior led many Athenians to distrust him, contributing to the conspiracy theories surrounding him.

What were the herms, and why was their mutilation such a big deal in Athens?

Herms were stone statues of gods, typically placed at crossroads or doorways. They featured a pillar topped with a god’s head and an erect phallus. Their mutilation was seen as a sacrilegious act because they represented the gods, and such desecration was considered an ill omen and a serious offense in Athenian society.

Why did the mutilation of the herms lead to a conspiracy theory?

The mutilation of the herms coincided with the planned Sicilian Expedition, which was led by Alcibiades. Many Athenians believed that the act was part of a larger plot to undermine the democratic government, especially when rumors suggested that Alcibiades was involved in the sacrilege.

What was the ultimate outcome of the Affair of the Herms?

The Affair of the Herms led to a public investigation, but no substantial evidence emerged to prove that Alcibiades was plotting against the government. Alcibiades was forced to leave Athens, and the conspiracy theory continued to spread. Ultimately, he was recalled to stand trial, though the political climate around the event made it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

What is the conspiracy theory surrounding the death of Alexander the Great?

The death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC led to rumors that he had been poisoned, possibly by his regent Antipater or even his former tutor, Aristotle. These theories were fueled by political maneuvering and suspicions regarding Alexander’s sudden illness, but historical sources suggest that malaria, compounded by Alexander’s past battles and excessive drinking, is a more likely cause of his death.

What evidence exists to suggest that Alexander was poisoned?

The theory that Alexander was poisoned is based on the sudden and dramatic nature of his illness, as well as rumors about political rivalries. However, there is no strong evidence to support this claim. Most ancient sources, including reliable historians, reject the idea of poisoning, and malaria remains the most plausible explanation for his death.

What was the Manichaean conspiracy theory in the Roman Empire?

The Roman Empire viewed Manichaeism as a Persian plot to subvert Roman society. The founder of the religion, Mani, received support from the Persian Shah, which led Roman authorities to believe that the spread of Manichaeism within the empire was part of an attempt to weaken Roman power. Diocletian, the Roman Emperor, issued an edict condemning the religion as a dangerous foreign influence.

What was Manichaeism, and why did the Roman Empire see it as a threat?

Manichaeism was a religion founded by the prophet Mani, which preached a dualistic worldview centered around the struggle between Light and Darkness. The Roman Empire saw the religion as a threat because it was associated with Persian influence and perceived as destabilizing to Roman political and social order. The religion’s growing presence in the Roman Empire, particularly among converts, alarmed Roman authorities.

How did the Roman Empire react to the spread of Manichaeism?

The Roman Empire responded to the spread of Manichaeism with a series of repressive measures, including executions, enslavement, and destruction of the religion’s scriptures. This persecution was rooted in the belief that Manichaeism was part of a broader Persian plot to subvert the Roman Empire, although the theory was more rooted in political paranoia than in any concrete evidence of a conspiracy.

How did the persecution of Manichaeans affect the religion?

The persecution of Manichaeans in the Roman Empire, particularly under Emperor Diocletian, led the religion to go underground. Although it was initially supported by the Persian Shah, it faced continuous repression in both Persia and the Roman Empire. Over time, Manichaeism was expelled from the empire and eventually became a marginalized, underground movement.